Panthers Sign Brandon Pirri To Two-Year Deal

Brandon Pirri #73 of the Florida Panthers skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on April 1, 2014 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Panthers 4-2. (Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – While the Miami Heat have been getting plenty of attention in South Florida, and rightly so, the local ice hockey team has been quietly piecing together a roster that could make some waves in the upcoming season.

That trend continued on Wednesday as the Florida Panthers signed forward Brandon Pirri to a two-year deal. The team made the announcement on Twitter and its website.

Terms of the contract have not been disclosed but according to Panther Parkway it’s a one-way deal, meaning the team views Pirri as a full-fledged NHL player that doesn’t need to spend any more time in the AHL.

The 23-year-old was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks on March 2 in exchange for a third-round pick in last month’s draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2016 draft.

Pirri played well during his time with the Panthers, scoring 14 points in 21 games last season. He finished the year on a high note, scoring seven points in the Panthers final seven games.

Putting up points is something that has come naturally to Pirri in his time as a professional. He led the AHL in scoring during the 2012-13 season, accumulating 75 points (22 goals) in 76 games for the Rockford Icehogs.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Pirri was selected in the second round (59th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft by current Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon while he was the GM for Chicago.